GA14 Challenger Steven Foster

Position statement on climate change

In a June 6, 2018 Facebook chat with us, Foster stated:

Climate change is only denied by those with a vested interest in doing so. It’s indisputable that human activity and internal combustion engine and the use of fossil fuel to power our electrical generating facilities have produced greenhouse gases that are creating conditions in which we are losing arctic sea ice, glaciers around the planet, and entire Antarctic ice shelves, which are cracking and sliding and calving as monstrous berg islands.

We are seeing the effects of warming oceans in the worldwide increase of cyclones, hurricanes, and tropical storms with their consequent damage.

Addressing the challenges means recognizing the need for carbon neutral energy production, including photovoltaic energy production, and wind and geothermal applications where warranted.

There are a number of relatively rapid and proven measures we could and should consider enforcing. Volvo has moved away from the internal combustion engine and such forward looking approaches as eliminating coal for electrical generation and substituting natural gas is occurring – not through any particular advocacy but through the economics. PV power production is already cost effective for off the grid applications in many places and appears to have hope for the future, as cost of batteries continue to drop and photovoltaic cells fall in price.

We are at a point where we may lose our oceans coral reefs and fisheries. Unfortunately, by withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accords, we have lost the moral high ground and our EPA is being decimated.

If elected, I would oppose oil drilling on our continental shelf, including the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. I would support tax credits for home owners, farms, or businesses to establish renewable electrical alternatives.

We should eliminate any subsidies to the fossil fuel industry. We should renew our national commitment to the Paris Climate Accord.